Always place your posts at the very top of the page so newcomers to the site can see the new posts first when the page loads, and insert a line between your posting and the next piece of text on the page.
Start your posts with the date of your posting, your name, and your school in BLD, for example: October 16, 2014 - Nadine- ISB.
Write a brief explanation why you like the book and to whom you would recommend it. You may also include hyperlinks to relevant websites
February 25, 2015- Michelle Rinker- Nanjing International School
Sam & Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett
Sam and Dave are on a mission. A mission to find something spectacular. So they dig a hole. And they keep digging. And they find . . . nothing. Yet the day turns out to be pretty spectacular after all. Attentive readers will be rewarded with a rare treasure in this witty story of looking for the extraordinary — and finding it in a manner you'd never expect.
Kirkus review: http://bit.ly/1FXflI9
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
A little girl has a wonderful idea. With the help of her canine assistant, she is going to make the most magnificent thing! She knows just how it will look. She knows just how it will work. But making the most magnificent thing turns out to be harder than she thinks. Great for science, tech, engineering and design with a female character.
February 24, 2015 - Julie Anne Dotterer, AISG The Adventures of Beekle by Dan Santat.
This magical story begins on an island far away where an imaginary friend is born. He patiently waits his turn to be chosen by a real child, but when he is overlooked time and again, he sets off on an incredible journey to the bustling city, where he finally meets his perfect match and-at long last-is given his special name: Beekle.
New York Times bestselling and award-winning author and illustrator Dan Santat combines classic storytelling with breathtaking art, creating an unforgettable tale about friendship, imagination, and the courage to find one's place in the world.
Our children absolutely LOVE Beekle!! I have followed Dan Santat's work for the last few years--amazing author!!
February 24, 2015 - Tim Gardes, ISB Dog Days of School by Kelly DiPucchio and Brian Biggs, 2014
Essentially the story of a boy and his dog who switch places/lives for a while and the hilarity that ensues. When the boy wishes he were a dog so that he doesn't have to go to school, he wakes to find his wish come true. While this isn't an original storyline per se, the text is snappy and funny and the bright, colorful, vintage-y illustrations serve to support the story exceedingly well. Kids will surely laugh at the antics as well as identify with both the boy and his dog . A definite feel good book and sure to be a hit even if it isn't a Panda nominee. February 23, 2015 - Tim Gardes, ISB Found by Salina Yoon, 2014
A really touching story of a bear who finds that someone has lost a stuffed bunny. He searches everywhere to find the owner. Upon finding the owner and returning the bunny, he realizes how sad he is to hand it over. The owner decides to pass the bunny on to the bear because 'special toys are meant to be passed on to special people' - a sentiment all kids (and adults) can relate to. Illustrations are bold, colorful and fun/funny as well as effectively convey the bear's emotions. With only a sentence or two per page, this is a good choice for younger students while the story will appeal to the upper end of this age group. This book got a starred review from Publisher's Weekly. http://www.salinayoon.com/FOUND.html February 13, 2015- Michelle Rinker, Nanjing International School
The Adventures of Beekle- the Unimaginary friend by Dan Santat An imaginary friend waits a long time to be imagined by a child and given a special name, and finally does the unimaginable--he sets out on a quest to find his perfect match in the real world. 2015 Caldecott winner. Kirkus Review https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/dan-santat/the-adventures-of-beekle/
February 11, 2015 - Tim Gardes, ISB Open Very Carefully: A Book with a Bite by Nicola O'Byrne and Nick Bromley, 2013
This playful book about a crocodile who somehow gets into "The Ugly Duckling" story and wreaks havoc will keep the kids engaged, exclaiming and laughing the entire (quick) read. Crocodile is not content to just hang out in the book, he starts eating letters and then moves on to whole sentences. Readers have to do something to get him to stop. The remedy is quite funny but only lasts a short while. When Crocodile wakes up, he's not happy and needs to find his way out of the book. He literally chews his way out (kids will love publisher-provided chomped hole in back of book). February 3, 2015 - Emily Johnson - NIS Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio, Illustrated by Christian Robinson - Gaston tries his hardest to fit in with his three sisters, Fi-Fi, Foo-Foo, and Ooh-La-La; he yips, sips, and walks with grace. But something isn't quite right, because Gaston looks an awful lot like the bulldog family they meet in the park...where does Gaston really fit in. A fun book for K-2 readers, especially if they're reading the pictures and able to point out that Gaston does not look like his poodle sisters. January 16. 2015- Julie Dotterer- AISG
The Book With No Pictures- by BJ Novak- absolutely the #1 favorite of every child in our school this year!!! I have six copies in the library and they are NEVER in stock---fabulous book full of great words and noises for the reader to make while reading this soon to be classic!!!( ALL AGES) BLIZZARD- by John Rocco- Doesn't matter what age I read this to, the kids love it. The part where he makes snowshoes out of wooden tennis rackets is a good example of STEM. A fun adventure story. Don't miss it. K-4
I will have to come back again with some more over the weekend!
December 11, 2014 - Tim, ISB The Lion and the Bird, Marianne Dubuc, 2014
Friendship (and loneliness) rendered beautifully in both spare text and pictures. Impossible not to feel some connection to these two friends. (One possible concern: 72 pages in length) http://www.enchantedlion.com/node/231
October 21, 2014 - Bec - no school yet
Novak, B.J., "The Book With No Pictures" - hilarious picture-less book full of expressive words that young kids adore (such as butt). http://thebookwithnopictures.com/
Tan, Shaun., "Rules of Summer" - haunting, beautiful book from the master of sophisticated picture books. Very little text accompanies detailed drawings that, in typical Tan style, take the reader far deeper into the story.
Published by Hachette Australia, ISBN 9780734410672; http://www.rulesofsummer.com.au/#!home
How to post a nomination
February 25, 2015- Michelle Rinker- Nanjing International School
Sam & Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett
Sam and Dave are on a mission. A mission to find something spectacular. So they dig a hole. And they keep digging. And they find . . . nothing. Yet the day turns out to be pretty spectacular after all. Attentive readers will be rewarded with a rare treasure in this witty story of looking for the extraordinary — and finding it in a manner you'd never expect.Kirkus review: http://bit.ly/1FXflI9
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
A little girl has a wonderful idea. With the help of her canine assistant, she is going to make the most magnificent thing! She knows just how it will look. She knows just how it will work. But making the most magnificent thing turns out to be harder than she thinks. Great for science, tech, engineering and design with a female character.Kirkus Review: http://bit.ly/1LCwKUQ
February 24, 2015 - Julie Anne Dotterer, AISG
The Adventures of Beekle by Dan Santat.
This magical story begins on an island far away where an imaginary friend is born. He patiently waits his turn to be chosen by a real child, but when he is overlooked time and again, he sets off on an incredible journey to the bustling city, where he finally meets his perfect match and-at long last-is given his special name: Beekle.
New York Times bestselling and award-winning author and illustrator Dan Santat combines classic storytelling with breathtaking art, creating an unforgettable tale about friendship, imagination, and the courage to find one's place in the world.
Our children absolutely LOVE Beekle!! I have followed Dan Santat's work for the last few years--amazing author!!
February 24, 2015 - Tim Gardes, ISB
Dog Days of School by Kelly DiPucchio and Brian Biggs, 2014
Essentially the story of a boy and his dog who switch places/lives for a while and the hilarity that ensues. When the boy wishes he were a dog so that he doesn't have to go to school, he wakes to find his wish come true. While this isn't an original storyline per se, the text is snappy and funny and the bright, colorful, vintage-y illustrations serve to support the story exceedingly well. Kids will surely laugh at the antics as well as identify with both the boy and his dog . A definite feel good book and sure to be a hit even if it isn't a Panda nominee.
February 23, 2015 - Tim Gardes, ISB
Found by Salina Yoon, 2014
A really touching story of a bear who finds that someone has lost a stuffed bunny. He searches everywhere to find the owner. Upon finding the owner and returning the bunny, he realizes how sad he is to hand it over. The owner decides to pass the bunny on to the bear because 'special toys are meant to be passed on to special people' - a sentiment all kids (and adults) can relate to. Illustrations are bold, colorful and fun/funny as well as effectively convey the bear's emotions. With only a sentence or two per page, this is a good choice for younger students while the story will appeal to the upper end of this age group. This book got a starred review from Publisher's Weekly.
http://www.salinayoon.com/FOUND.html
February 13, 2015- Michelle Rinker, Nanjing International School
An imaginary friend waits a long time to be imagined by a child and given a special name, and finally does the unimaginable--he sets out on a quest to find his perfect match in the real world. 2015 Caldecott winner. Kirkus Review
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/dan-santat/the-adventures-of-beekle/
Brian has always felt invisible at school, but when a new student, Justin, arrives, everything changes.
Kirkus Review-
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/trudy-ludwig/the-invisible-boy/
February 11, 2015 - Tim Gardes, ISB
Open Very Carefully: A Book with a Bite by Nicola O'Byrne and Nick Bromley, 2013
This playful book about a crocodile who somehow gets into "The Ugly Duckling" story and wreaks havoc will keep the kids engaged, exclaiming and laughing the entire (quick) read. Crocodile is not content to just hang out in the book, he starts eating letters and then moves on to whole sentences. Readers have to do something to get him to stop. The remedy is quite funny but only lasts a short while. When Crocodile wakes up, he's not happy and needs to find his way out of the book. He literally chews his way out (kids will love publisher-provided chomped hole in back of book).
February 3, 2015 - Emily Johnson - NIS
Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio, Illustrated by Christian Robinson - Gaston tries his hardest to fit in with his three sisters, Fi-Fi, Foo-Foo, and Ooh-La-La; he yips, sips, and walks with grace. But something isn't quite right, because Gaston looks an awful lot like the bulldog family they meet in the park...where does Gaston really fit in. A fun book for K-2 readers, especially if they're reading the pictures and able to point out that Gaston does not look like his poodle sisters.
January 16. 2015- Julie Dotterer- AISG
The Book With No Pictures- by BJ Novak- absolutely the #1 favorite of every child in our school this year!!! I have six copies in the library and they are NEVER in stock---fabulous book full of great words and noises for the reader to make while reading this soon to be classic!!!( ALL AGES)
BLIZZARD- by John Rocco- Doesn't matter what age I read this to, the kids love it. The part where he makes snowshoes out of wooden tennis rackets is a good example of STEM. A fun adventure story. Don't miss it. K-4
I will have to come back again with some more over the weekend!
December 11, 2014 - Tim, ISB
The Lion and the Bird, Marianne Dubuc, 2014
Friendship (and loneliness) rendered beautifully in both spare text and pictures. Impossible not to feel some connection to these two friends. (One possible concern: 72 pages in length)
http://www.enchantedlion.com/node/231
October 21, 2014 - Bec - no school yet
Novak, B.J., "The Book With No Pictures" - hilarious picture-less book full of expressive words that young kids adore (such as butt).
http://thebookwithnopictures.com/
Tan, Shaun., "Rules of Summer" - haunting, beautiful book from the master of sophisticated picture books. Very little text accompanies detailed drawings that, in typical Tan style, take the reader far deeper into the story.
Published by Hachette Australia, ISBN 9780734410672; http://www.rulesofsummer.com.au/#!home
Anything from this list:
http://cbca.org.au/Shortlist-2014.htm (Children's Book Council of Australia awards)